• South Africa

Overview

South Africa is a country of strong musical roots, and this tour is an opportunity to bring your choir or group’s sound to some South Africa’s popular music venues. Following your days exploring the cities and the country’s natural beauty, use the evenings to show off your group’s sound. It’s a wonderful way to immerse yourself in the rich culture of the South African people. 

Highlights

  • Concert performances – Your group will have the opportunity to perform at venues across South Africa for a variety of audiences.
  • Community involvement at Living Hope – Meet and engage with locals at Living Hope, a Cape Town community center.
  • Pilanesberg National Reserve – Among some of the wonderful natural sites on the tour, Pilanesberg National Reserve sits on a crater created by volcanic activity 1,200 million years ago but today is home to some popular safari animals and wildlife.
  • University visits (optional) – Sit in on a Masterclass at Stellenbosch University and visit with the Music Department at University of Pretoria.

Itinerary

Day 1: Cape Town

Arrive in Cape Town, one of the world’s most beautiful cities. You will spend the next few days learning why Cape Town is so popular; experience its unique culture, relaxed lifestyle, captivating history, and scenic beauty.  Transfer to your hotel for dinner and your overnight.

Day 2: Cape Town

After breakfast, explore the V&A Waterfront. One of South Africa’s most visited destinations, the V&A Waterfront is conveniently situated between Table Mountain and Robben Island with both mountain and sea views as well as world-class hotels, luxury apartments, shopping, and entertainment.  Next stop is the South African Museum, where you will learn how man and animal have evolved on the continent. After lunch, visit the breathtaking Kisrtenbosch Botanical Gardens, home to some examples of the Cape’s rich flora. Your day will conclude with a dinner at the Gold Restaurant, a unique, Pan-African culinary and cultural experience. Feast with friends while taking in live entertainment. You can even join in the on the drum circle.

Day 3: Cape Town

Enjoy breakfast before setting sale on your trip to Robben Island, best known for being the penitiary where Nelson Mandela served 18 of his 27 years. Upon your return, take some time to explore Table Mountain, the most iconic feature of the Cape Town skyline. Sit down to dinner at Rhapsody’s before this evening’s concert performance.

Day 4: Cape Town

After breakfast, you will enjoy the morning on the Cape Peninsula, a beautiful well-preserved landscape of both beaches and mountains. Then, visit the nearby Boulders Penguin Colony, famously home to a colony of African penguins. Before leaving the secluded beach, take a swim in the warm waters of False Bay. Following lunch at the Salty Dog, you’ll have the opportunity to engage with some Cape Town locals at Living Hope, a community center. This evening, enjoy dinner at the Brass Bell before another concert performance.

Day 5: Cape Town

Grab breakfast before heading out to South Africa’s wine country in Stellenbosch. The Stellenbosch wine route is packed with cellars and vineyards, each with unique, flavorful wines. Lunch will be on one of the beautiful vineyard estates. Before leaving the region, pay a visit to the Conservatoire at Stellenbosch University where you will sit in on a Masterclass. After dinner, you will host another concert performance.

Day 6: Cape Town - Johannesburg

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your flight to Joahnnesburg, one of Africa’s largest and most dynamic cities. In addition to it being the gateway into Southern Africa, it is also the economic capital of the African continent. Over the next few days, you will be introduced to the city, its unique multi-cultural character, and some of its most well known sites. Upon arrival, your first stop is at Gold Reef City, an adventure park with a mining theme. Take the lift down 226 meters to a deep old mine shaft, mine for gold, and learn about the historic indurty.  Dinner is under the group’s own arrangement before heading to your hotel for the overnight.

Day 7: Johannesburg

Following breakfast, you will embark on a tour of the nearby township of Soweto. Among the tour’s highlights are a stop at Nelson Mandela’s former home, and the Hector Pieterson museum, a homage to Hector, one of the school children shot in the Soweto Uprising of 1976. You will experience Soweto culture, meet its residents, try some local cuisine for lunch, or perhaps even a Omgombothi, a traditional beer. This tour is truly one-of-a-kind, and a wonderful way to see life in a South African township.  Before this evening’s concert performance, enjoy dinner at Moyo Zoo Lake. This is a chance to escape from the bustling city for a delicious meal, and tranquil environment.  Sip on cocktail while watching an African sunset.

Day 8: Johannesburg - Pretoria - Pilanesberg

Following breakfast, head to the University of Pretoria for a visit with their Department of Music. Participate in a Masterclass before a group lunch. Then, head to your overnight accommodations at Bakgatia Resort. Bakgatia Resort sits at the foot of the Garamoga Hills and conveniently located near Pilanesberg Game Reserve. Keep your eyes peeled for the Big 5 or one of the 360 bird species. 

Day 9: Pilanesberg

Set out on an early morning game drive to see if you can spot some of the reserve’s most infamous flora and fauna. After lunch, warm up your pipes for another concert performance. Dinner is under own arrangements.

Day 10: Pilanesberg - USA

After breakfast, transfer to the airport for your return flight home. 

Includes

  • All transport, fuel, tolls and road taxes
  • Full use of vehicle with driver for the duration of your trip
  • Internal flights from CPT – JNB, including taxes
  • Return airport transfers
  • Services of an Edutours Africa guide
  • Meals, specifically local cuisine and 3-course dinners: Please see above for meal specifications
  • All activities included in above itinerary
  • Community facilitators with our community partners on service days
  • Concert performance venues and promotional material

Excludes

  • Items of a personal nature, personal insurances, visas and gratuities
  • All meals taken in restaurants and not specified in the above itinerary
  • All drinks
  • Laundry
  • Internet
  • All international flights
  • Optional extra activities
  • No in country medical Insurance
  • Masterclasses and university visits